If you suffer from migraines, you already know all about their debilitating pain. These headaches can easily sideline you for an entire day while you wait for them to finally go away. While chiropractors have been successfully treating migraines without drugs or invasive techniques, traditional medicine is still searching for cures. Some of these new technological approaches might seem a bit...shocking. For example, a new device is showing promise as a method for easing migraine pain. How does it work? Believe it or not, the device reduces pain by delivering mild electric shocks to your arm. The Future of Migraine Relief? The experimental device, which you control through your smartphone, is called the Nerivo Migra. It consists of electrodes that attach to your arm, a patch with a battery, and a computer chip that wirelessly connects to your mobile device. When activated, the device stimulates nerves under the skin of your arm, which, in turn, blocks pain signals from traveling to the brain. In the past, similar attempts at blocking pain signals applied mild shocks to the person’s head. By focusing on the arm instead, researchers are hoping the device will be discrete and convenient enough to use in public without anyone noticing. A Recent Study Put Nerivo Migra to the Test Researchers examined the effects of Nerivo Migra on 71 participants who suffer from episodic migraines that occur two to eight times a month. They had not taken any medication to prevent their attacks for at least two months. Most were women in their mid-to-late 40s who also experienced “aura,” which is a visual disturbance that sometimes affects other senses. Participants had a total of 299 migraine occurrences during the course of the study. They were instructed to apply the device to their upper arms immediately after the start of an attack and use it for 20 minutes. The device was programmed to emit one of five pulse widths: 50, 100, 150, 200, or a placebo. When the 50-width pulse rate is excluded, the results show that 64% of participants reported at least a 50% pain reduction two hours after using the device. For the control group, that number was just 26%. At the 200-width pulse rate, 58% of participants said they had little or no pain after a migraine that was moderate to severe. Chiropractic Migraine Treatment You Can Experience Right Now While the Nerivo Migra seems promising, it will likely be years before the public is ever able to use it. And you might be understandably a bit wary of using electric shock as a way to treat a headache. However, if you’re suffering from migraines right now, your local chiropractor can help. A study conducted by Duke University showed that chiropractic spinal adjustments can produce almost immediate improvements in those suffering from migraines. The relief also lasted longer with fewer side effects than prescription headache medication. So don’t live with the pain migraines cause. Your local chiropractor will have you feeling better with just a single visit.

Parents rely on the school system to educate and protect their children. Recent studies have shown that when it comes to skin cancer, U.S. schools are missing an opportunity to do just that. Children are just as susceptible to skin cancer as adults. Some children have conditions that predispose them to skin cancer. Diligent efforts need to be taken to protect these children. However, some schools refuse to allow children to protect themselves with sunglasses and hats, even after legislation has passed. Another missed opportunity comes from tiny steps that could easily be put into practice. Schools could do more to promote the use of protective equipment, such as hats, sunglasses, and sun screen. Another important step that can be taken is to restrict the amount of time kids spend in the sun. While some sun exposure is important – everyone needs a healthy dose of Vitamin D, after all – it's essential to keep kids out of the sun during the brightest times of day. According to KidsHealth.org, it is believed that Melanoma is closely associated with severe sunburns from UVA and UVB rays before the age of 20. Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Recent research, reported on by Reuters, found that only 13% of classrooms have sunscreen on-hand. And only 28% of teachers allow children the time to apply the product. When it comes to sun exposure and children’s health, there is still much to be done. If you want to do more, talk to your school or your local board of education.

Tanning has never been more popular. Whether its because studies have shown that darker regularly gets rated as more attractive, or that popular celebrities the world over continue to radiate a golden brown glow, the tanning trend shows no sign of slowing down. Unfortunately, lying in a tanning bed has been linked to skin cancer. In fact, Reuter's reported on new research that shows up to $343 million dollars in healthcare costs have resulted because of the adverse effects of tanning beds. Some experts say that the cost of not only medical bills, but workforce productivity and early deaths, will raise that price to over $120 billion dollars over the patients’ lifetime. In 2015, tanning bed use resulted in nearly 9,000 melanoma cases, over 165,000 squamous cell carcinoma cases, and over 85,000 basal cell carcinoma cases. According to StatNews.com, 30 million people use tanning beds each year, and a quarter of those are teens. It’s estimated that a young woman who uses a tanning bed are at greater risk – up to 75% greater – of developing melanoma. The numbers are staggering. And while excess natural sun exposure can result in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma, tanning beds can actually increase the likelihood of getting these types of cancers. The culprits are the UVA and UVB rays. The UVA rays damage DNA, while the UVB rays burn the skin. Why take the chance of ruining your health? Save money and heartache by avoiding tanning beds.